Air cleaner



Patented Nov. 25, 1947 AIR CLEANER Edward N. Jacobi, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to Briggs & Stratton Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaware Application June 6, 1945, Serial No. 597,825

9 Claims.

This invention relates to air cleaners and has particular reference to cartridge type cleaners in which the air to be cleaned is first passed through a body of oil or -other suitable fluid,

Air cleaners of this general type usually cornprise a housing formed jointly by a pair of axially separable cup-like casing members with their open ends substantially telescoped together to enclose a filter cartridge supported in the upper portion of the housing and through which the air to be cleaned flows after first passing through a quantity of oil or the like contained in the lower casing section.

The lower outer portion of the cartridge is adapted to be immersed in the oil contained in the bottom of the lower casing section and it is customary to mount cleaners of this type in an upright position with the bottom of the lower casing section resting on a vertically disposed carburetor inlet duct, with a discharge port for cleaned air in the bottom wall of the lower casing section communicating with the carburetor inlet duct.

One of the objects of the present invention resides in the provision of an air cleaner of the character described which is of extremely simple construction to enable manufacture and assembly thereof at low cost.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel unitary cartridge for air cleaners of the character described having a central air duct extending through the body of lter material therein and adapted to seat on the upper end portion of an upstanding discharge tube in the lower casing section so as to act as an extension of the discharge tube, with the central air duct so connected with the outer shell of the cartridge that force exerted on the upper edge portion of the outer shell by the upper casing section in a direction to draw the casing sections together is transmitted to the lower end of said central duct to aid in sealing the duct with respect to the standpipe.

More specically, it is an object of this invention to provide a novel cleaner cartridge comprising an outer shell the lower end of which is adapted to be immersed in a body of oil or other fluid, an inner tubular member forming a portion of anl air discharge duct, and circumferentially spaced substantially radial ribs or struts clinched in the sidewall of the shell and extending inwardly for connection to the tubular member adjacent to the lower end of the shell.

A further object of this invention resides in the provision of a novel cleaner cartridge of the character described having sealing rings secured thereto at opposite ends thereof, with one of the sealing rings overlying the upper end portion of the outer shell of the cartridge and the other sealing ring carried by the inner tubular member of the cartridge at the opposite end of the shell.

Still another object of this invention resides in the provision of a cleaner cartridge of the character described having means thereon for guiding the same into position within its enclosure and for holding the cartridge axially aligned with the casing sections forming the enclosure.

With the above and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described, and more particularly define-d by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the herendisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates one complete example of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed in accordance with the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is an elevational View of the air cleaner of this invention with parts thereof broken away and shown in sectionto illustrate the interior construction thereof; and

Figure 2 is a cross sectional View taken on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawing in which like numerals indicate like parts,A the numeral 5 generally designates the air cleaner of this invention.

The cleaner comprises a housing or enclosure S formed jointly by upper and lower casing sections 'l and B respectively of substantially cuplike shape and having their open ends substantially telescoped together as shown in Figure 1. The rim 9 of the upper casing section has a larger diameter than the rim I0 of the lower casing section so as to define an annular space Il between the sides of the casing sections through which air enters the enclosure.

The lower casing section 8 has a central standpipe l2 projecting up from its bottom wall I3 toward the rim I0 of the section. The standpipe l2 opens through the bottom wall I3 of the casing section 8 so as to provide for the discharge of cleaned air from the housing, and its upper extremity is curled over as at I4 to provide an annular seat for the cartridge as will be later described.

A body of oil I or other suitable liquid is contained within the lower casing section to a depth slightly beneath the rim or seat I4 of the standpipe.

The cartridge I8 of this invention is received within the upper portion of the housing formed by the upper and lower casing sections and comprises a cylindrical shell I9 within which is contained a body of any suitable filter material 20. Extending centrally through the body of filter material is an inner tubular member 2l? coaxial with the outer shell I9 and joined theretov by means of a number of substantially flat ribs like spacing struts 22 extending radially between the tubular member and the shell and located at circumferentially spaced points about the axis of the cartridge.

The outer marginal portions 23 of these struts, of which there are at least three, are clinched between the side walls` of longitudinal folds 25 struck outwardly from the shell Illand projecting from its exterior. These longitudinal folds act to stiften the outer shell I9 and enable the same to be made from a. rectangular blank of relatively light sheet metal in which the crimping for the folds 2-5 is performed prior to rolling the. blank into cylindrical shape.

The ends of the blank are joined by an outseam 25 having a shape similar to the folds 25 to enable reception of the outer marginal portion 23 of one of the radial spacing struts 22 for clinching therein.

As clearly shown in Figure 1, the radial spacing struts 22 extend from the upper portion of the shell downwardly andk substantially diagonally inwardly to have their inner extremities 21 disposed alongside the lower extremity of the inner tubular member 2 I. The lower extremity of the tubular member is provided with an annular shoulder 28 in the form of a bead pressed outwar-dly from the wall of the tubular member and located a short distance inwardly of its lower extremity. It will be noted that the lower extremity of the tubular member is of' a diameter to enable the same to enter into the interior of the rim I4 at the upper end of the standpipe.

A sealing ring 29 in the nature of a ber gasket is received on the lower extremity of the tubular member 2l with its upper face disposed against the shoulder 28` and its opposite side facing the extremity of the tube. This gasket is maintained Iin position on the tubular member against the shoulder 28 by means of jaws 30 and 3| formed on the inner extremities of each of the'radial spacing struts 22 and which jawsv embrace the shoulder and the sealing ring to hold the ring iirmly against the shoulder and to secure the tubular member 2l assembled with the shell I9.

The cartridge is installed within the enclosure by seating the gasket 29 on the rim I4 of the standpipe, and axial alignment and hence communication between the standpipe and tubular member 2l assured by engagement of the lower jaws 3| of the radial spacing struts 22. with the exterior of the standpipe at the upper end'portion thereof. The tubular member 2l thus forms an. upward extension of the standpipe I2 Ywith the gasket 23 providing an air-tight seal therebetween.Y Y Y With the cartridge in theV position described; it willY be noted that the oil level is beneath Ythe seal effected at the juncture of the ring 29 with they rim I4 of the standpipe and that the outer shell I9 projects downwardly into the lower casing section '8 sufficiently far as to be immersed in the body of oil contained therein.

The upper casing section 1 rests on the upper edge of the shell I9 of the cartridge and to prevent leakage of air past the cartridge a sealing ring or gasket 34 is interposed between the bottom wall 35 of the upper casing section and the upper end portion of the shell I9'.

The washer 34 also rests on the upper ends of the struts 22 to receive support therefrom with lugs 36 on the radial struts 22 extending over the,Y inner edge portion of the washer Vto hold the same assembled with the cartridge. The gasket 34 upon drawingv of the casing sections together provides an air--tight seal between the upper end of the outer shell I9 of the cartridge and the closedV or bottom. wall 35 of the upper casing section. Y

In addition, ldrawing of the casing sections tol gether exerts an axial force on the shell I8 of the cartridge, which is transmitted downwardly and inwardly through the diagonally extending spacing struts 22y to the lower portiony of the tubular member 2l 4to press the sealingrring 29 thereon firmly against the rim I4 of the standpipe to assure. an air-tight seal betweenit, and the tublllar member..

This constructionl distinguishes from constructions used in many past types ofcleaners wherein drawing of the casing sections together` directly imposed an axial force on the tubular member to effect sealing thereof with the standpipe. Y

Besides holding the washer 34 assembled with the cartridge, the lugs 36 on the upper extremities of the radial struts 22v alsoA act to center the upper casing section 'Iz with krespect to the car-V tridge and lower casing section 8.. For this pur--V In the present cartridge it `is to be noted that the inner tubular memberl does notproject outwardly of the open` upper'V end of the cartridge so that av space exists betvveenthe upper end of the tubular member and the bottom wallz of the upper casing section 'I. It is also to be'notedzthatY in the present constructionthe:bottom wall of the upper casing; section 'Iv acts asrra closure forl'the open top ofv the cartridgerwiththe side walls of the upper casing section providing an eave. to prevent dirt: or moisture from. entering thespace between the side of` they lower casing section and the. filter cartridge. Y Y f The lter material 2li is retained in position within the4 cartridge by means. ofv screens 31- and 38: at the opposite endsof thec cartridge andex.- tending radially between the inner tubularlnember and the o-uter. shell- I9.Y Y Y Y 'Y In the installation of the. cleaner of this invention the bottom casing section' 8: isplaced'l over the upright air intake duct. 4o' 'of the carburetor, which it will bef noted, may extend upwardly a distance into Vtheinterior ofl thegstandpipe I2, and

short distance belowfitsrupperfextremity ,Y Y

'Ihecustomary` tie rod" 43 which-'hasr its` lowerY l end anchored: to theductJllIll in the usual :manner Y extends upwardly axially: through. theintake duct 40 andthe discharge duct formed? jointly by the standpipe l2A and they inner tubular member 2| and passes out through the enclosure through an aperture 44 formed centrally in the bottom Wall 35 of the upper casing section.

The upper end of the tie rod is threaded as at 45 to receive a wing nut 46 thereon which may be brought to bear against the bottom wall of the upper casing section to firmly hold the cleaner assembled on the carburetor inlet duct 40 with the casing sections tightly drawn together. In this manner the cartridge is effectively sealed against the upper casing section and has its tubular member 2| adequately sealed in communication with the standpipe I2.

Hence, it will be apparent that air entering the cleaner is caused to flow upwardly into the annular space and thence downwardly between the side wall of the lower casing section and the shell I9 of the cartridge to pass through the body of oil l before passage through the filter material 20 and entry into the upper open end of the inner tubular member 2|.

If desired, the inner tubular member 2| may also be formed into a tube from a substantially rectangular blank of sheet metal. The ends of the blank thus rolled up are butt welded together as at 40 to provide a rigid tubular construction reinforced by the bead 28 which is preferably formed in the blank prior to rolling the same into tubular form.

Attention is also directed to the fact that the longitudinal folds 25 act to guide the cartridge into its proper position within the lower casing section inasmuch as the lower jaws 3| on the radial spacing struts 22 are not immediately engaged with the upper extremity of the standpipe I2 upon installation of the cartridge.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention provides an air cleaner of exceptionally simple nature capable of being manufac-` tured at low cost.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. An air cleaner of the character described comprising: a housing including substantially coaxial upper and lower cup-like casing sections having their open ends facing each other and spaced apart to provide an annular air inlet for the cleaner; a tube projecting axially upwardly from the closed end of the lower casing section and opening therethrough to provide for the dis-1 charge of cleaned air from the housing; a cleaner cartridge within the upper portion of the housing including an annular outer shell concentric to but spaced from the sides of the casing sections and having its upper end portion seated against ther Vclosed end of the upper casing section, a tubular member providing an axial air passage through the center of the cartridge in line with thel discharge tube and having its lower end received on the upper end of the discharge tube so as to be supported thereby, said tubular member providing an upward extension of the discharge tube, circumferentially spaced struts extending diagonally between the upper end portion of the shell and the lower portion of the tubulary member and` joined to said portions so that the shell and upper casing section of the housing are supported from the tubular member and a body of lter material confined inside the shell between it and the exterior of the tubular member; and seal members interposed between the upper edge portion of the shell and the adjacent closed end of the upper casing section, and between adjacent portions of the discharge tube and said tubular member for effecting fluid tight seals between the cartridge 6 and the casing sections upon the application of axial force to the casing sections in a manner drawing said casing sections together.

2. An air cleaner of the character described comprising: an enclosure including substantially coaxial upper and lower cup-like casing sections, the open end of the upper casing section substantially telescoping over the open end of the lower casing section with its rim spaced outwardly of the rim of the lower casing section to provide an annular air inlet for the enclosure; an air discharge tube projecting axially upwardly from the bottom of the lower casing section and opening therethrough to provide for the discharge of cleaned air from the enclosure; a cleaner cartridge in the upper portion of said enclosure including a substantially cylindrical outer shell concentric to but spaced from the sides of the casing sections, said shell having its upper end portion seated against the closed end of the upper casing section so that the same acts to close the upper end of the cartridge, but having its lower open end spaced from the bottom of the lower casing section, a tubular member extending centrally through the cartridge to provide an axial air passage leading from the closed upper end of the cartridge to the lower end thereof, said tubular member having its lower end portion received on the upper end of the discharge tube to be supported thereby and to form an upward extension thereof, circumferentially spaced struts Within the shell extending inwardly and downwardly from the juncture of the shell and upper casing section toward the lower end of the tubular member, and connections between the lower end of the tubular member and the adjacent ends of the struts by which axial force exerted on the upper casing section in a manner to draw the sections together is translated directly through the struts into an axial force on the lower end of the tubular member to firmly seat the same on the upper end Aof the discharge tube; and means at the juncture between the discharge tube and said tubular member placed in compression when the casing sections are drawn together for eifecting a fluid tight seal between the discharge tube and said tubular member.

3. In an air cleaner of the type having a housing provided by separable coaxial upper and lower cup-like casing sections having their open ends substantially telescoped together, the bottom of the lower casing section having a standpipe projecting upwardly therefrom into the interior of said lower casing section with said pipe opening through the bottom of the section to provide for the discharge of cleaned air from the housing, a unitary cleaner cartridge comprising: an outer cylindrical shell rolled up from a substantially rectangular blank of sheet metal; a tubular member inside the shell and coaxial therewith; circumferentially spaced diagonal spacing struts rigidly fastened to the shell adjacent to the upper end portion thereof and engaged with the tubular member to space the same concentrically with the shell; a body of lter material between the concentric walls of the tubular member and the shell, said cartridge being adapted to fit within the housing with the lower end portion of the tubular member resting on the upperv extremity of the standpipe to form a continuation thereof, whereby the standpipe supports the cartridge in the upper portion of the housing; and centering lugs on said spacing l struts adjacent to the lower end of the tubular member engageable with the exterior of the upper extremity of the standpipe so that the tubular member forms an upward extension of the standpipe, and said longitudinal folds extending from the exterior of the shell acting to guide the cartridge into place within the lower casing section to assure proper positioning of the sealing ring on the standpipe; a gasket overlying the end portion of the shell opposite the sealing ring; and lugs on said spacers overlying said gasket to hold the same assembled with the cartridge in said position overlying said end of the shell.

8. In an air cleaner of the type having an enclosure provided by separable coaxial upper and lower cup-like casing sections having their open ends substantially telescoped together, the bottom of the lower casing section having a standpipe opening therethrough and extending axially upwardly into said lower casing section to provide a discharge duct through which cleaned air is discharged from the enclosure, a unitary cleaner cartridge comprising: an outer substantially cylindrical shell; a tubular member inside the shell and coaxial therewith; circumferentially spaced struts connecting substantially radially between one end portion of the shell and the tubular member at the opposite end of the shell for joining the tubular member to the shell, a body of filter material between the concentric walls of the tubular member and the shell, said cartridge being adapted to t within the enclosure with the shell substantially coaxial with the cup-like casing sections and with said opposite end of the shell lowermost so that the lower end portion of the tubular member bears against the upper portion of the standpipe to form a continuation thereof, whereby the standpipe supports the cartridge in the upper portion of the enclosure; and lugs on the opposite end portions of the struts engageable with the exterior of the standpipe and with the upper casing section to hold the casing sections in axial alignment with the cartridge centered with respect thereto and to thereby assure proper seating of the tubular member on the standpipe.

9. In an air cleaner of the type having an enclosure provided by separable coaxial upper and lower cup-like casing sections having their open ends substantially telescoped together, the bottom of the lower casing section having a standpipe opening therethrough and extending axially upwardly into said lower casing section to provide a discharge duct through which cleaned air is discharged from the enclosure, a unitary cleaner cartridge comprising: an outer cylindrical shell rolled up from a substantially rec- 10 tangular blank of sheet metal and crimped at spaced points to provide circumferentially spaced longitudinal folds projecting from the exterior of the shell; a joint between the ends of the rolled up blank also forming a longitudinal fold projecting from the exterior of the shell; a tubular member inside the shell and coaxial therewith; substantially flat radial spacing struts inside the shell with their outer marginal edge portions clinched between the side walls of said longitudinal folds so as to be carried by the shell and cooperating with the longitudinal folds to reinforce the shell, the inner extremities of said radial spacing struts lying alongside one end portion of the tubular member; means on said end portion of the tubular member providing an annular shoulder projecting from the exterior of the tubular member; a sealing ring on said end portion of the tubular member having one face lying against said shoulder and its opposite side facing the extremity of said end portion of the tubular member; means on said inner extremities of the radial spacing struts engaged with said shoulder and sealing ring for joining the tubular member to the shell and holding the sealing ring firmly against said shoulder; and a body of filter material between the concentric walls of the tubular member and the shell, said cartridge being adapted to lit within the enclosure with said opposite side of the sealing ring bearing against the upper extremity of the standpipe so that the tubular member forms an upward extension of the standpipe, and said longitudinal folds extending from the exterior of the shell acting to guide the cartridge into place within the lower casing section to assure proper positioning of the sealing ring on the standpipe. EDWARD N. JAC`OBI.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

